Roethlisberger played through a sprained ankle that had him in obvious pain and lacking mobility, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was questioned afterward about why an obviously injured player was on the field at all. But Tomlin insisted that putting Roethlisberger out there — and keeping him out there, even at the end of a one-sided loss — was the right call.

“He was healthy enough to play,” Tomlin said. We always like what Ben provides us, not only from his quality of play, but his leadership. This guy is a tremendous competitor. We appreciate his efforts, obviously we fell short tonight.”

But was Roethlisberger really healthy enough? Roethlisberger, who said he did not take a painkilling injection, acknowledged that he was playing at less than 100 percent.

“I’ll go out and play at 5 percent. I don’t care,” Roethlisberger said.

The 49ers’ defense added to Roethlisberger’s pain with a big game, but afterward they said they respected Roethlisberger for toughing it out.

“My hat goes off to Roethlisberger,” 49ers defensive end Justin Smith said on ESPN after the game. “Him playing, hobbled up back there, he wouldn’t come out.”

But maybe he should have come out. His toughness was admirable, but it’s not a good thing for the Steelers when Roethlisberger is the opposing team’s best player.

Not a surprising comment– Steelers and Steelers fans don’t understand the concept of humility, even when they just got their a$$es handed to them.

EJ says:Dec 20, 2011 7:52 AM

Say what you will about Roethlisberger….
One thing you can’t say is that he isn’t tough.
I think him playing through this injury shows how dedicated he really is to this Pittsburgh team.

tim1999 says:Dec 20, 2011 7:55 AM

Ben had to play last night. He owes ESPN for all the non-coverage they provided of his rape case, ignoring his rep a horrible guy who’s not well liked by his teammates, an all around jerk who’s widely known for big-timing businesses in Pittsburgh, etc. ESPN has done a ton of Roethlisberger image shaping and mythmaking over the years. Rothy HAD to play last night and as a Patriot fan I say thank you very much for playing that familiar media role of injured martyr and singlehandedly losing game to the 49’ers there Ben.
That number 1 seed and an extra week off is going to help my Patriots go to the Super Bowl.
Thanks again Benny. And thank you ESPN.

Disagree. He definitely needed to play and I give him credit for doing so. That’s the kind of guy you want to be in the trenches with. Bottom line is they were facing a great defense and he couldn’t allow his team to play them with Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch at QB– that would have been ugly and IMO a copout when #1 seed is at stake. Props to Big Ben (and im a Giants fan before the trolls start to whine..).

Why do the Steelers have 3 backup QBs on their roster if they still play Ben when he is that injured? Given all the injuries at all the other positions, isn’t it time to ask about the poor roster management of the Steelers coach?

All these “drama queen” comments are from people who would probably take a week off for a paper cut. Ben’s a tough dude. What I wonder is how Tomlin handles this the next two weeks seeing how Ben can’t really do his usaul scramble and throw plays.

southpaw2k says:Dec 20, 2011 8:12 AM

As a Ravens fan, I’m sending the 49ers (and possibly Roethlisberger) a Christmas card as a thank you for last night’s game. I’m still disgusted over the Ravens’ performance Sunday night, but at least the 49ers came through last night for us.

toegoat says:Dec 20, 2011 8:13 AM

Hats off to the niners, they played mistake free and capitalized on turnovers like good teams do. We did have a lot more Yds (i know pts matter not Yds) but couldn’t make em count. I wouldn’t say the niners dominated though, more like capitalized on short fields and turnovers something we haven’t been able to do all yr… anyway good game niners goodluck in the playoffs

The O-line problems illustrate my point, maybe the lone would not have been so porous if the Steelers had more reserve O-linemen instead of 3 reserve QBs that they NEVER played! Very poor roster management!

Props to SF. They have some nice players and played well last night. They deserved to win the game.

While a painful loss for the Steelers, they are in the playoffs which is the first goal to make the Super Bowl. Nothwithstanding the “que the excuses” crowd, the fact is they played without some key people on both sides of the ball and with Ben being much less than 100%, and I mean much less. He could barely move around and had no quickness, which clearly impacted his game. Hopefully when the playoffs start, Ben and Woodley are healthy along with Mike Pouncey and Emanual Sanders. And hopefully Harrison learns how not to lower his head to make tackles so he doesn’t have to sit home and twitter away. They could have used him last night.

So hate and bash all you want. Everyone has opinions, and you are entitled. Let’s all see who has the last laugh.

Yeah, he pretty much single-handedly blew any chance the Steelers had to win that game last night. Few teams can overcome 4 turnovers in a game, especially against a team as good as the 49ers have been this year. Hats off to San Fran, we were simply beaten by a better team last night. Hopefully the Steelers can suck it up, re-focus, and win the final two before going into the playoffs.

Kudos to Ben for toughing it out, but to me it looked like he was in pain just transferring weight to his left foot while making a throw. He should have been pulled due to ineffectiveness, due to injury. Having him still be out there with 2 minutes left, down by 3 scores was absolutely insane. Don’t know what Tomlin was thinking there.

Ben does not get to say he help us win. What a cop out. We did like any other team and capitalized on our opponents mistakes. Thats right Ben, MISTAKES! Nice hobbling when you made a mistake. Your subconscious was right on time. Oh snap, interception, time to limp.

Good thing the Niners chose to play him.
Why did Leftwich not even dress?

blackqbwhiterb says:Dec 20, 2011 8:33 AM

The way it looked to me, yes I would have started him- the no. 1 Seed was there for the taking. But after 3 series, I would have put Batch in and tried to rally the troops, because Ben was ineffective and you could see he was hampered by the ankle…..his comments here could have been worded a bit more humbly, if you got beat, admit it. If you choose to play, it’s incumbent on you to bring it, no excuses….

In the grand scheme, given the importance of this game’s playoff implications, you can totally understand why Ben wanted to play and why Tomlin didn’t get in the way. Realistically it’s out of respect for the niners and all they’ve accomplished that you go to such measures.

grpatriot says:Dec 20, 2011 8:39 AM

Big Ben thinks it’s all about him! “I’ll play at 5 %!”
Team player or selfish Diva….U decide?

mjzaky says:
Dec 20, 2011 7:56 AM
Disagree. He definitely needed to play and I give him credit for doing so. That’s the kind of guy you want to be in the trenches with. Bottom line is they were facing a great defense and he couldn’t allow his team to play them with Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch at QB– that would have been ugly and IMO a copout when #1 seed is at stake. Props to Big Ben (and im a Giants fan before the trolls start to whine..).
————————————————-

Did you watch the game? It was UGLY… BECAUSE of Ben’s narcissism, and Tomlin played right into it.

2) Ben should get an Emmy nomination for his acting. Throws a nice pass and sprints downfield to get to the line. Throws an INT and limps off the field.

Kya_Tropic_Fan says:Dec 20, 2011 8:42 AM

I think Ben is tough as nails, but it is funny to watch him play when he is injured. He lines up behind the line, and he is moving around pain free, has no problem putting weight on his foot as he calls out signals. He moves left to the LT to give the call to the wideout on that side. Then he hustles over to the RT, to get the call to the wideouts on that side. Then he hustles back behind center to get the snap… He gets the snap, moves around a little, throws the ball, and…intercepted. Then Ben gets up slow, and drags himself to the sideline. The agility he displayed when calling out signals replaced with an inability to even use his injured ankle…

joetoronto says:Dec 20, 2011 8:44 AM

Playing him last night in that condition tells you were Charlie Batch is at.

The Steelers need a decent backup QB.

ravenator says:Dec 20, 2011 8:45 AM

Yeah you were their best player last night. Tell that to Aldon Smith, turd.

Regardless of the ankle injury, when Roethlisburger is forced into being a prototypical pocket qb, he’s nothing more than mediocre. The Pittsburg passing attack is only dangerous when Roethlisburger gets outside the pocket and extends the play.

If you noticed last night, SF did not respect Pittsburgs ability to use play action buying time for the passing game, because they had no respect for the Steelers ability to run the ball. While on the other hand, SF had effective play action going all night, because the vaunted Steeler defense respects Frank Gore.

No, the Steelers got beat by a better team and a better coaching staff.

grogansheroes says:Dec 20, 2011 8:49 AM

This is all about Ben’s ego. Does a lesser QB, fully healthy, have a better chance to win. Ben’s biggest asset is his mobility, and he had none, so he cannot, and was not effective. So this is all about his tough guy image and his ego and not what is good for the Steelers. He is just another prima donna. But thanks Ben, and enjoy your trip to NE for the AFCC game.

flaccodelic says:Dec 20, 2011 8:51 AM

BIG BEN: Wow, my ankle hurts. Maybe I should let it heal.

BIG BEN’S AGENT: No no no- remember a season or so ago when Hines Ward was calling you out for not playing with a concussion, as is required by Steelers team rules?

BIG BEN: Oh right.

BIG BEN’S AGENT: Better to have everyone call you “tough” and hurt your team than to suggest you are unwilling to permanently damage your body.

BIG BEN: You’re right. No one has called me a terrible person lately. I’ll play the whole game, even if we’re getting crushed. Then on Tuesday they’ll just be questioning the Coach’s decision-making, not mine.

richm2256 says:Dec 20, 2011 8:53 AM

I’ve never said Roethlisberger wasn’t tough, though there clearly bveen times when his injuries have been – shall we say – “misreported” (as in: not as bad as made out to be).

That said, I don’t want to hear that his ankle sprain is the reason for the Squealer’s loss, Roethlisberger was good enough to launch 45 passes last night, of which only 25 were accurate. He threw for 305 yards last night.’

That ain’t chopped liver.

Yet he only has three points to show for it? REALLY?

You’d think if dude was THAT immobilized, we’d have seen more emphasis on the running game, but they ran just 18 times.

Why are these comments complimenting the selfishness of one player, and spinning it as toughness?

Tomlin really blew this one.

killerstiller says:Dec 20, 2011 8:55 AM

You can’t bite us in the ass unless we are in front of you! We’ll be there in January. We’ve proven we can win playoff games on the road. What good is home field if we usually lose to NE at home and the Ravens can beat us there? I wonder if Flacco is still wanting someone to talk about him?

Props to SF. They have some nice players and played well last night. They deserved to win the game.

While a painful loss for the Steelers, they are in the playoffs which is the first goal to make the Super Bowl. Nothwithstanding the “que the excuses” crowd, the fact is they played without some key people on both sides of the ball and with Ben being much less than 100%, and I mean much less. He could barely move around and had no quickness, which clearly impacted his game. Hopefully when the playoffs start, Ben and Woodley are healthy along with Mike Pouncey and Emanual Sanders. And hopefully Harrison learns how not to lower his head to make tackles so he doesn’t have to sit home and twitter away. They could have used him last night.

So hate and bash all you want. Everyone has opinions, and you are entitled. Let’s all see who has the last laugh.

GO STEELERS!!
——————————–

It’s week 15, every team has injuries. Not taking anything way from Roth though, cause an ailing QB is a larger issue than other positions IMO. But, lets not forget a little guy named Patrick Willis watching from the sidelines. This game could have been a lot worse for the Steelers too.

I love all of these Patriot fans talking trash and claiming that the Pats are going to the Super Bowl. How can you watch that ‘defense’ week in and week out and think that team is Super Bowl caliber? Relying on Brady to simply outscore every team will not always work and will be the reason they fail in the playoffs. Julian Edelman, James Ihedigbo, Sterling Moore, Matthew Slater on defense?? Biggest joke I’ve ever seen. Not to mention that you just lost your best and really only pass rusher in Andre Carter. This team is D-O-N-E.

Plus it’s embarrassing for you to trash talk a team and QB that whipped you so badly earlier in the season. What a bunch of whiny little girls you are. Steelers > Pats right now, plain and simple.

ottograham says:Dec 20, 2011 9:08 AM

Rough game to watch sitting at home from Pittsburgh. I wonder sometimes how you all would react to our games had Ben now gotten himself involved with those women.

I feel this website is a haven for those who love throwing rocks but dont wann do it in their glass house. Unfortunate how demoralizing some of you can be. Particularly about the city I am born and raised in. Feel like we have offered our fair share of culture to their world in the recent decade and you all seem very butthurt.

Charlie Batch led a 92 yard drive against the Ravens late in a game last year. Steelers are panicking over a very limited sample from the Browns game. Having said that, it was fine to try Ben at the start of the game. But forevery 3 throws he made that were good, he would make one bad throw every single drive which explained why they would always make it to midfield or better and not score any points. Ben should not have been out there in the 4th Q.

Now that the bye week is a tough chance(Houston has to lose again too, not just Baltimore), I would just sit Ben and let him heal for the first playoff week. There is absolutely no point ruining the healing process playing him next week.

It does not help that Tomlin is one of many dumb NFL coaches who for some reason do not understand elementary time management(should have taken a timeout at 27 or so seconds before the half and have Ben try a couple of passes and spike the ball after the first completion).

Bruce Arians is the worst coach in the history of coaching. He is an idiot.

starderup says:Dec 20, 2011 9:16 AM

Tomlin was a fool for not resting his #1 QB, and his #1 QB was a fool for not sitting himself. It was clear as day that he was going to be ineffective at best, and give the squealers no chance to win.
They have cornered the market on questionable judgment, tho.

I’m not quite sure why everyone is saying Ben shouldn’t have played if he was hurt so bad. By my count, only one of his interceptions can be attributed to the ankle problem, and even that’s a little questionable.

Ben had a bad game, but it wasn’t because of his ankle. It was because of good defense and a couple bad decisions.

(One last note – Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown in the hands with a pass that potentially could have gone the distance.

Way too much is being made of Ben’s ankle, and it’s probably because of the way Steve Young was freaking out before the game. Steve Young is a horrible, horrible analyst. He’s the anti-Trent Dilfer.)

peytonwantsaflag says:Dec 20, 2011 9:27 AM

“I’ll go out and play at 5 percent. I don’t care,” Roethlisberger said.

———————————————————–

“I DON’T CARE” – says all you need to know about the character of this doosh.

steelersmichele says:Dec 20, 2011 9:28 AM

As for whether or not he should be playing, he gets paid a lot of money and really only needs to “work” 3 hours a week. Some of you guys surprise me–as if being hurt is an excuse not to do your job. Other players should have stepped up more. It’s a team sport.

comeonnowguys says:Dec 20, 2011 9:32 AM

Big Ben Favre.

peytonwantsaflag says:Dec 20, 2011 9:33 AM

Quit blaming the ankle – Ben was perfectly healthy and had FIVE turnovers in one game this year.

Hey, it’s what he does

prior0knowledge says:Dec 20, 2011 9:34 AM

always knows when the camera is on him so he can limp around a little more. karma.

Pure drama queen.
Like the others, I too loved how he could run all over the place until it was intercepted. Then it was time to for a slow grimacing limp to the sidelines.
You can bet if you put a drunk college girl 10 yards down field he could have ran her down.

Ben at 10% gave us a better chance at winning than replacing him with Charlie Batch.

Yes, he sucked last night, but the result wouldnt have been any different if he hadn’t played. With Leftwich on IR, we have no viable backup. IDK what is up with Dennis Dixon, but it cant be good since he can’t seem to beat out Batch as #2.

Steeler's Will says:Dec 20, 2011 9:44 AM

Gimpy Ben was a better bet than Batch or Dix. I don’t know of many teams who would let their backup play with a shot at the #1 seed on the line. I do think he should’ve been pulled after he fumbled, but only for purposes of avoiding further injury.

@kokoskmr: There are two other QB’s on the roster available to back up Ben. The third qb would be Hines Ward. I believe the intent was to part ways with one of them but Leftwich went to IR in the preseason.

holeinone09 says:
Dec 20, 2011 8:16 AM
Props to SF. They have some nice players and played well last night. They deserved to win the game.

While a painful loss for the Steelers, they are in the playoffs which is the first goal to make the Super Bowl. Nothwithstanding the “que the excuses” crowd, the fact is they played without some key people on both sides of the ball and with Ben being much less than 100%, and I mean much less. He could barely move around and had no quickness, which clearly impacted his game. Hopefully when the playoffs start, Ben and Woodley are healthy along with Mike Pouncey and Emanual Sanders. And hopefully Harrison learns how not to lower his head to make tackles so he doesn’t have to sit home and twitter away. They could have used him last night.

So hate and bash all you want. Everyone has opinions, and you are entitled. Let’s all see who has the last laugh.

GO STEELERS!!

————-

At least your comments are civil. However JSYK, the 9ers were with out PWillis on defense-I don’t think PITT would have scored any points had he been healthy-and SF was also playing without WR’s Josh Morgan(out for the season) and Braylon Edwards. Bottom line, these guys are pros and they have to deliver when their number is called. SF’s coaching > PITT’s coaching.

aharris230 says:Dec 20, 2011 9:50 AM

Ben should have never played. His game is extending plays in the pocket, not standing in the pocket getting killed every single play. While Batch wouldn’t be an upgrade, it would have forced the Steelers to run it more often early in the game with Mendenhall. I like Tomlin, but he’s too much of a players coach. He needs to sit Ben when he’s clearly not healthy enough.

We’ve really missed you since you’ve decided we didn’t deserve to be a part of your life.

Sincerely,

Humility & Reality

rmc1995 says:Dec 20, 2011 10:00 AM

Being tough doesn’t just mean playing the game. Hell, anybody can suit up injured and play like they are injured. The tough guy suits up and plays like nothing is bothering him. I thought the steelers were having some success running the ball. A game manager would have been happy handing the ball off and kicking the field goal and letting a really good defense have a lead against a mediocre offense, but Ben has his Super Bowls as a game manager. He wants his personal awards and he damn well will play at 5% if it means he can pad his stats in garbage time. Maybe it will trigger a bonus incentive for yards or TDs.

Ben had no business playing. There were a few plays that were wide open that he could make with his eyes closed that were misconnects. Furthermore, there were a lot of plays where he could move out of the pocket to make a play. He was clearly hobbled and was a sitting duck. I put that on the coaching staff for allowing Ben to play the role of Braveheart for no reason. Steelers couldve beaten them with healthy back up. They were only a few plays away. At this point, sit Ben the next 2 games so he can get healthy. No more heroic episodes.

No Ben, Aldon Smith, Vernon Davis and even Andy Lee were the 49er’s best players. You just got in their way.

toegoat says:Dec 20, 2011 10:30 AM

@ vadog
Actually the vaunted Steelers defense had no respect for Alex smith. Smith managed the game well, he didn’t look great, didn’t look bad, didn’t turn the ball over he had like 190yds and 50% completion% and 6yd avg per attempt.
Frank Gore averaged 3.5 not exactly staggering either. Like I said hats off to niners and good luck in the playoffs.

I can’t even believe i’m going to say this -i can’t stand the steelers – but – how can you possibly find any fault with rothlisberger for playing through a very painful injury – and toughing it out the best he could in a very important game??? honestly – he can play qb for me any day

govtminion says:Dec 20, 2011 10:38 AM

Say what you will about Ben- and Lord knows, there’s plenty to say- but that’s one tough SOB to have stayed in during the pounding he took in the second half. VERY impressed with him in that regard.

And at the same time, what the hell was Tomlin thinking? The playoffs start in a couple of weeks, there’s a good chance the Steelers won’t have a first round bye, and he kept his starting QB- without whom they have little chance in the playoffs- in the game well past when it was possible to win it, risking making his injury even worse. What if one of those hits had put Ben on ice for the season? Would he really feel like he can proceed with Batch?

Boneheaded move by Tomlin. Just boneheaded.

ninerdynasty says:Dec 20, 2011 10:49 AM

now where is that “steelersownyou” guy? as i predicted, he is not here after a lost. what a fool.. If you are reading this.. *taking candy from a kid was pretty tough huh?*

holeinone09 says:Dec 20, 2011 10:52 AM

Some people are here are unbelievable. If you don’t understand Ben’s intent with that comment, it’s your fault. He was making a point about the way HE played, taking the blame for the loss, like he usually does. He gave the ball away 4 times, but not to say several were entirely his fault. He wasn’t insulting the 49er players at all. To read more into it than that shows your lack of intelligence. He didn’t have a great game, they lost, so move on. Let’s see what happens in the playoffs, when he is healthy, and they have more of their stars on the field. The last laugh is the best.

GO STEELERS!!

comeonnowguys says:Dec 20, 2011 11:01 AM

At least Earl Bennett’s shoes matched each other. I wonder if the league is going to fine Big Ben.

burghman says:Dec 20, 2011 11:02 AM

Nothing like a Steeler loss to bring out the haters. It happens so infrequently, I guess you just can’t help yourself. Here’s hoping that you finally get that 23rd pair of chromosomes for Christmas….

goldsteel says:Dec 20, 2011 11:07 AM

nflofficeadmin says:
Dec 20, 2011 8:15 AM
Tomlin and Rooney keep at 19 year old girl locked up in the bathroom for Ben to enjoy after every game. They support him in every way. Quality organization.
====================================
Hey Numb Nuts this thread is about a football game. Whenever you get an idea it will inevitably die of loneliness.

Ben should not have played but that’s the coach’s decision. When Ben is “healthy” he’s exceptional. Holding on to the ball on one leg is a recipe for disaster. But was the offense scheme changed to adapt to Ben situation? I didn’t see any screen plays or draws? And where were the strikes passes for Ben to get rid of the ball?

timtheenchanter1 says:Dec 20, 2011 11:08 AM

thehighhat says: Dec 20, 2011 10:21 AM

No Ben, Aldon Smith, Vernon Davis and even Andy Lee were the 49er’s best players. You just got in their way.
———————-

This! (although you need to add Justin Smith to the list)

It shows how completely narcissistic he is, that he thinks HE is the primary reason SF won, and refuses to give credit to the phenomenal performances by the opposition, or even acknowledge the team aspect of the game.

Did anyone else notice him hanging out and yakking near the cameras during the stoppage. He’s still got to be the center of attention.

I feel sorry for whoever that girl is that married him because I suspect before too long, he’s going to be out galavanting through college towns again. He’s put on a nice act since last year’s suspension, but this kind of behavior hints that he hasn’t really changed.

savagenation2011 says:Dec 20, 2011 11:09 AM

jpb12 says: Dec 20, 2011 8:32 AM

Good thing the Niners chose to play him.
Why did Leftwich not even dress?

Jim Harbaugh – bigger crybaby than his brother. Niners got every call last nite. If the Steelers hit like the Niners, they couldn’t field a team. Steelers playing with different rules than the other 31 teams. Goodell is a scum. Last nite’s refs were the worst I have ever seen. NFL is close to becoming like the NBA…. a joke.

Nevis says:Dec 20, 2011 11:17 AM

Aldon Smith will be haunting Ben’s dreams this week.

If his climb continues, he might be the single best secret weapon against the likes of GB or NO, especially with GB’s O-line issues.

Say what you will, the 49ers compete every week and have shown a lot of consistency.

As a 35 year Steeler fan I’ve got to say this. Ben, between your hero antics and Tomlins pride the two of you cost us this game. Ben is one of the best QB’s in this league, when he has two feet under him! Tomlin is one of the best coaches in this league, when he is not trying to prove a point. Why in the world was Dixion not put in there and why was he listed as the 3rd QB behind Batch??? Batch was a good back up at one time but his time has passed! Tomlin get off your high horse and let the guys that should be playing play! One more thing, Ben admit it, you were the worst player on the feild last night and DON’T take any credit from any of the 49er players that handed you your a$$!!!

Funny how things dont sway in Sh!ttsburgh’s favor once you get them out of ketchup stadium..

Big (Ego) Ben (Dover) set his team back with his arrogance and greediness wanting to play at 50%… But I loved it!!

He isn’t a hero for playing, he’s selfish and his team paid the price!!

pooflingingmonkey says:Dec 20, 2011 12:04 PM

The pain tolerance of NFL players is something most people here clearly do not fully comprehend. If any of us had an injury of this type, we’d spend three weeks on the couch popping Vicodin.

I can’t believe I’m defending Roethlisberger! I hate the guy, ffs. But the idea that he’s grandstanding is, to me, ludicrous.

Frankly, anyone here questioning the toughness of any NFL player, or the motives of a tremendous quarterback (but not a tremendous person) borders on pathetic. It’s a free country, and we’re all entitled to opinions, but some of what I’m reading here defies explanation.

steelerfanjo – your team was beaten soundly last night – why all the hate?? just accept it already – and you wonder why so many fans can’t stand pitt ?? this post is a perfect example………

ninerdynasty says:Dec 20, 2011 12:15 PM

steelerfanjo says: Dec 20, 2011 11:15 AM

Jim Harbaugh – bigger crybaby than his brother. Niners got every call last nite. If the Steelers hit like the Niners, they couldn’t field a team. Steelers playing with different rules than the other 31 teams. Goodell is a scum. Last nite’s refs were the worst I have ever seen. NFL is close to becoming like the NBA…. a joke.
—————————————————-
Whaaa.. it was the refs fault.. whaaaa.. its a conspiracy from the nfl.. whaaaaa.. ..

This is football players get hurt. You can then put the. Back on the field or not. If you want to say they only lost because of Bens injury, fine, but however you spin it, they lost because of a decision they made about how to play that night as a football team.

And let’s not forget that Bens injury had nothing to do with the Steelers failure to stop the Niners offense.

richm2256 says:Dec 20, 2011 12:31 PM

holeinone09 says:
Some people are here are unbelievable. If you don’t understand Ben’s intent with that comment, it’s your fault. He was making a point about the way HE played, taking the blame for the loss, like he usually does. He gave the ball away 4 times, but not to say several were entirely his fault. He wasn’t insulting the 49er players at all.
——————————————————–
Actually, you’re wrong. When Roethlisberger says he was the ‘Niners best player, he’s basically saying they didn’t when the game last night; he LOST it.

I find it funny you call Harbaugh a cry baby to introduce a paragraph of you bitching, moaning, complaining, and crying about the fact that the Steelers got beat soundly by the 49ers.

Stop being a baby, 49ers players have been hitting cleanly all season as opposed to James Harrison who hits via helmet to helmet hits all the time and gives this “Why they picking on me” response. It has been years of the 49ers being on the butt end of bad calls by the officials while at the same time the Steelers were the beneficiary of some good calls. So stop acting like Goodell is out to get you idiots just because James Harrison is a dirty player(and so is Hines Ward btw).

And I don’t want to hear “James Harrison was out of the game so it shouldn’t count” because Willis was also out this game.

I am so glad the 49ers got two red zone TDs against Pittsburgh because of fans like you and any dude who trolls all posts with the not so clever name that involves 6 rings in it.

richm2256 says:Dec 20, 2011 12:40 PM

agent6burgh says:
Dec 20, 2011 11:42 AM
With Ben 100% and Pouncey at center and Harrison at OLB, Niners would have lost and they know it. So enjoy the half-win Niners fans, you’ll lose in the play offs with that paper QB Alex Smith.
——————————————————–
Woulda, coulda, shoulda …. typical Squealers fan.

Alex Smith didn’t suck LAST night, dork, YOUR guy did.

And please, spare us the “he wasn’t 100%” crap.

Dude threw for over 300 yards last night!

And New England is winning despite losing THEIR center, and having never HAD a beast on defense like “Head Shot” Harrison.

I will say this. It’s getting old, it’s not about handshakes, harbowls, and power outages, this 49ers Defense is a championship defense and should be the story. the steelers got pummled, even with a healthy Ben, James Harrison, and a different officiating crew SF wins that game.

aharris230 says:Dec 20, 2011 1:27 PM

Woulda, coulda, shoulda …. typical Squealers fan.

Alex Smith didn’t suck LAST night, dork, YOUR guy did.

And please, spare us the “he wasn’t 100%” crap.

Dude threw for over 300 yards last night!

And New England is winning despite losing THEIR center, and having never HAD a beast on defense like “Head Shot” Harrison.

Excuses are for losers.
————————————————————-
Ben clearly wasn’t 100%, or close for that matter. And Alex Smith didn’t turn the ball over, but he missed a handful of throws. The Steelers are the better team. That’s just a fact. The Niners may or may not get there, but they’re not there yet. I’m not even a Steelers fan and I dislike Roethlisberger as much as the next guy, but quit being delusional.

jr4real says:Dec 20, 2011 1:54 PM

love the ravens fans talking trash…

The steelers got beat by a good team.

Ravens got pounded by a lousy team.

See you in the championship game.

agent6burgh says:Dec 20, 2011 2:49 PM

aharris230:
And New England is winning despite losing THEIR center, and having never HAD a beast on defense like “Head Shot” Harrison.

…and Tom Brady (the most protected QB in the NFL) isn’t playing with a fractured thumb or sprained ankle. Tom brady would NEVER NEVER play with injuries Ben has. Neither would Alex Smith.

mitchitized says:Dec 20, 2011 2:59 PM

Ricardo Grande said it best! LOL

I gotta say, this is definitely reminding me of the good ol’ days where the Browns and Steelers clearly were world beaters, that is until they killed each other right before the playoffs so neither would make it past round 1.

Maybe the rivalry is finally waking up, even if the Browns can’t sweep the Steelers they can at least cause enough damage that the Steelers lose a critical game?

And New England is winning despite losing THEIR center, and having never HAD a beast on defense like “Head Shot” Harrison.

Excuses are for losers.
————————————————————-
Ben clearly wasn’t 100%, or close for that matter. And Alex Smith didn’t turn the ball over, but he missed a handful of throws. The Steelers are the better team. That’s just a fact. The Niners may or may not get there, but they’re not there yet. I’m not even a Steelers fan and I dislike Roethlisberger as much as the next guy, but quit being delusional.

—————-
You most certainly are a Steelers fan trying to appear not to be.
You are what your record is. In this case the Niners are the better team.
My hats of to Roethlisberger for toughing it out and I know he was trying to just accept the blame but what he said was a fine way to put down the effort of the niners players. There were several niners players who were the main reasons that the score was what it was.

Steelers fans, stop making excuses. Just man up and accept that your team lost.

And New England is winning despite losing THEIR center, and having never HAD a beast on defense like “Head Shot” Harrison.

Excuses are for losers.
————————————————————-
Ben clearly wasn’t 100%, or close for that matter. And Alex Smith didn’t turn the ball over, but he missed a handful of throws. The Steelers are the better team. That’s just a fact. The Niners may or may not get there, but they’re not there yet. I’m not even a Steelers fan and I dislike Roethlisberger as much as the next guy, but quit being delusional.

Thats justa fact? Based on what exactly? Who has a better record? Who won the head to head? Ben was hurt, but you neglect to mention that the 49ers played without their hands down BEST player.

The 49ers have been underrated by Football fans all year. Everyone keeps expecting them to be “exposed”, but it simply never happens. The lost one game by 3 points (FG in overtime), another by 10 (well played game by Ravens), and a fluke game to the Cards (game completely changed by three long pass plays by the Cards….something the Niners have prevented all year).

At some point peeps are gonna have to figure out that Passing for 5000 yards and 50 TDs isn’t the only way to be dominant.

Winning the field position game in every game, having the best D is pts allowed in the NFL, having outstanding special teams, and creating turnovers and not turning it over (+25) works just as well. EVERY team comes into Candlestick thinking that THEY are the ones that are gonna show that the Niners aren’t for real. Hasn’t happened.

49ers were without Willis, Edwards, and Josh Morgan. Ginn went out with an injury during the game and so did Joe Staley.

Edwards has been slowed by injuries but the lack of Josh Morgan hurt because he was the safety valve for Alex Smith when he needed a big reception. Willis is the heart and soul of a D that still suffocated the Steelers into submission.

The way the line was blocking I am not sure Harrison and his dirty play would have made a difference. This is a line that allowed 6 sacks to Arizona last week. Maybe Harrison gets a sack but I doubt it makes much a difference with the way that unit played all game and the way Alex avoided the pass rush all game and the way the 49ers D choked the life out of the Offense.

dietrich43 says:Dec 20, 2011 8:59 PM

Leftwich is on IR, has been since training camp. Steelers have 2 backup QBs. Dixon might have had a chance to move and get out of the pocket, Batch probably wouldn’t have finished the game.

I knew Ben would play – he’s too dumb to feel pain.

agent6burgh says:Dec 21, 2011 9:41 AM

Not the reason they lost, but certainly did not hurt SF, 3 highly questionable calls by the Zebras:

The illegal leaping call on Timmons led to the 49ers’ second touchdown. (How often has “leaping” been called in the NFL ??)

San Francisco punt returner Kyle Williams muffed a punt early in the third quarter, but Lewis was called for interfering with Williams as he attempted to make the catch. (Lewis made contact with the blocker)

lets cut the bull shyt…any defense can be effective against an immobile qb. with that said the 40 whiners could not score either without some help from us and the refs. otherwise they know your little field goal offense wouldnt be secure. arizona showed you that. congrats! you now own the most fg in a season record. ha ha ha… well i guess so if they cant score. theyre gonna field goal us to death!!